Today, parks and public features are intended for mass yoga. But beyond the rugs and synchronized areas, more inclusive practice is an affiliation: adaptive yoga.
What exactly is adaptive yoga?
This yoga style adapts traditional asanas to make them accessible to everyone, especially people with physical, sensory and cognitive disadvantages. The focus here is not on the ideal form, but on the feeling of sustainable, maintained and calm. Social media caused this change. Modified procedures, seat practices and textbooks that have sensory, for those who have sensitivity, such as autism or anxiety-Tuper are widely available on the Internet on social media platforms. They are often shared by the most teachers who practice this form of yoga.
Rethinking one who can teach yoga
Arpita Roy, a yoga teacher, founded in Kolkuta, lost his leg in a road accident in adolescence in 2006. During the recovery, she began exercise to stay in shape and manage her weight, which helped her move more freely with artificial limb.
She fell in love with yoga in 2015 after a long personal struggle. It was not easy, as many postures require flexible joints and strong knees. “It seemed to me to climb the mountain,” says Arpita, adding, “I started from simple areas and slowly moving forward.”
Until 2019, she learned about each main posture and trained as a yoga instructor. The arpit sessions focus on breathing and balance, using requisites and delicate recommendations to help each student move comfortably and confidence. Some of the adaptive supplies include Shrshasan (rack), Virobhodrosan (Warriors) and even Sun Salutation. “Yoga is not about what the posture looks like. It is about how she feels from the inside,” she says.
Her students say her classes changed their lives. Dr. Ana Gupto, who lost both legs in the crash, rescuing anyone, found confidence in yoga. “I had doubts in my body. Yoga gave me hope. I felt visible and the way I belonged,” she says.
The Ahmed Ahmed, Yoga Teacher in Delhi and the Powerlifting Champion of the National Couple, began using yoga in 2021 to maintain his Paralympics. After his childhood concluded polio, he turned to pawerlifting for strength, and later to yoga for peace, focus and recovery. He firmly believes that yoga helps relieve both mental and physical stress. “When the mind is stable, the body is stronger,” he says.
Now Gulfam works with students with disabilities that limit their mobility and motor features. “Everyone is different,” he says, adding, “we set up the posture depending on the person’s ability and what feels safe for them.”
This year, it represents India at the Paerlifting Cup in the World Parameters in Beijing and plans to do yoga.
Why adaptive yoga matters
Benefits supported by research: Scientific research continues to maintain the value of adaptive yoga in various disabilities. In 2024, a study in the Indian magazine of public medicine showed that four weeks of managed yoga improved balance, attention and neuromatic control gap in children with intellectual deficiencies.
Wide suitable: India’s research and global level show that yoga helps people with mobility restrictions, touch differences and conditions of development improve the body’s awareness, reduce pain and gain great independence.
Emotional well -being: Regular practice maintains stress regulation, reduces anxiety and lifts mood, especially when teaching instructors who understand the specific problems of the student.
Holistic Welfare: For those who have cerebral paralysis, spinal cord injuries, or autism, the structure and rhythm of yoga can become a valuable therapeutic addition to ordinary help.
Institutes that cover inclusive yoga
Prafull Oorja in Bengalur conducts inclusive yoga programs for children with special needs such as autism, Down syndrome and cerebral palsy
Adapt (capable of all people together) in Mumbai combines yoga therapy into rehabilitation during neurosity violations
The Yoga Institute in Mumbai offers therapeutic classes in shelters and public centers
Sadgur Mangeshda Cry Yoga Foundation in Mumbai conducts students with a visual view impaired
Narajan Seva Sonston in Udepur organizes inclusive events
Institutes such as Cavaldam and C-Vaia in Mumbai also support adaptive yoga through research, training and partnerships with hospitals and non-governmental organizations
